‘I Welcome An Open Dialogue’

Last November, Cong­r­ess­man Ami Bera bec­ame only the third Indian-American in the country’s history to be elected to the US Congress. A Democrat from Cali­for­nia, Dr Bera’s family came to the US from Gujarat in the 1950s. He shared his thoughts on a U.S. visa for Narendra Modi and his hopes for future ties with Gujarat.

Do you believe the Obama administration should give Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi a U.S. visa?

Visa applications are handled by the executive branch of government and not Congress. That being said, I’ve inquired with both the State Department and senior officials in the administration on this matter.

Do many of your Indian American constituents want the U.S. to give a visa to Mr Modi?

All of my constituents, including the Indian Americans, are most concerned about jobs and the economy. I appreciate the diversity of opinions in the Indian American community on this matter, and I continue to welcome an open dialogue.

As the only Indian- American congressman in Washington, and one whose family comes from Gujarat, what relationship do you envision with Gujarat?

I am incredibly proud to be an Indian American and Gujarati, and as a Congressman from Sacramento County California, my priority is what my constituents from all backgrounds care about most: creating jobs and growing the economy for middle class families. As I stay focused on growing jobs and the economy at home, I believe the U.S., and northern California especially, can benefit from strengthening our trade relationships with high-potential export markets in Asia like India and, in particular, the state of Gujarat.

Edited to replace the shorter, edited, print version of this interview with this full text